New Zealand Hit By HUGE Earthquake, Triggered A Tsnunami

Newsroom

Posted on November 14, 2016

A powerful 7.5 magnitude earthquake has rocked New Zealand’s South Island and has triggered a tsunami and strong aftershocks while killing two people.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency Management said the quake hit just after midnight on Monday (10pm Sunday AEDT) near Hanmer Springs, about 90 kilometres from Christchurch, which was devastated five years ago by a 6.3 tremor.

A tsunami arrived in the north-eastern coast less than two hours later, with irregular aves of two metres being reported in Kaikoura.

Prime Minister John Key confirmed two fatalities in his address to the nation.

“New Zealanders responded as they should have. They took the (Civil Defence) advice seriously,” he said.